ICD-10 Logo
ICDxICD-10 Medical Coding
ICD-10 Logo
ICDxICD-10 Medical Coding
ICD 10 CodesDiagnoses
ICD 10 CodesDiagnoses
ICD-10 Logo
ICDxICD-10 Medical Coding

Comprehensive ICD-10-CM code reference with AI-powered search capabilities.

© 2025 ICD Code Compass. All rights reserved.

Browse

  • All Chapters
  • All Categories
  • Diagnoses

Tools

  • AI Code Search
ICD-10-CM codes are maintained by the CDC and CMS. This tool is for reference purposes only.
v1.0.0
ICD-10 Guide
DiagnosesAlcohol Addiction

Alcohol Addiction

ICD-10 Coding for Alcohol Addiction(F10.20, F10.21)

PRIMARY SPECIALTYPrimary Care
COMPLEXITYHigh
LAST UPDATED09/15/2025
Sam Tuffun, PT, DPT
Physical Therapist | Medical Coding & Billing Contributor

Diagnosis Overview

What is Alcohol Addiction?
Essential facts and insights about Alcohol Addiction

Key Clinical Considerations:

  • A strong desire or sense of compulsion to consume alcohol.
  • Inability to control the amount or frequency of alcohol consumption.
  • Withdrawal symptoms when alcohol use is reduced or stopped.
  • Tolerance, requiring increased amounts of alcohol to achieve the desired effect.
  • Continued use despite negative consequences, such as health issues or interpersonal problems.

Clinical Information

Clinical Criteria & Documentation Requirements

  • Document the patient's history of alcohol use, including quantity and frequency.
  • Use specific terminology such as 'alcohol use disorder' or 'alcohol dependence'.
  • Examples include: 'Patient reports daily alcohol consumption of 6-8 beers.'
  • Document medical necessity for treatment, including any co-occurring mental health disorders.
  • Quality measures may include screening results and treatment adherence.

Coding Guidelines

Usage Guidelines & Examples

  • Use F10.20 for unspecified alcohol use disorder and F10.21 for alcohol use disorder with withdrawal.
  • Do not use these codes for patients with alcohol abuse without dependence.
  • Compare with F10.10 (alcohol abuse) and F10.29 (other alcohol-related disorders).
  • Common errors include misclassifying alcohol abuse as dependence; ensure criteria are met.
  • In complex cases, consider the presence of other substance use disorders or mental health conditions.

Code Exclusions

Important Exclusions

  • Exclude codes for alcohol abuse without dependence (F10.10).
  • Alternative codes for excluded conditions include F10.29 for other alcohol-related disorders.
  • Conditions are excluded to ensure accurate representation of the severity of the disorder.
  • Avoid confusion between alcohol dependence and alcohol abuse in documentation.
  • Related but distinct conditions include substance use disorders for other substances.

Related ICD-10 Codes

Primary Codes
F10.20
Alcohol use disorder, unspecified
F10.21
Alcohol use disorder with withdrawal
Ancillary Codes
K70.0
Differential Codes
F10.10
Z86.59

Related CPT Codes

CPT codes will be available in a future update.

Specialty Focus

Primary Specialty

Primary Care

Specialty Applications

  • Patients with a history of alcohol consumption leading to significant impairment.
  • Populations at risk include those with a family history of addiction, males, and young adults.
  • Clinical settings include outpatient addiction treatment centers and inpatient rehabilitation facilities.
  • Specialty applications may involve psychiatry, addiction medicine, and primary care.
  • Used in treatment contexts such as detoxification, counseling, and medication-assisted treatment.

Coding Complexity

High Complexity

This diagnosis requires careful attention to:

  • Comprehensive clinical documentation
  • Accurate code selection based on clinical criteria
  • Proper exclusion considerations
  • Specialty-specific coding guidelines

Documentation

Documentation Templates

Template 1

Template: 'Patient diagnosed with alcohol use disorder based on clinical findings of dependence.'

Template 2

Template: 'Clinical presentation consistent with alcohol use disorder including withdrawal symptoms.'

Template 3

Template: 'Diagnostic criteria for alcohol dependence met as evidenced by tolerance and withdrawal.'

Template 4

Template: 'Treatment plan initiated for alcohol use disorder with counseling and medication.'

Template 5

Template: 'Follow-up care for alcohol use disorder including monitoring of alcohol consumption.'

Billing Information

Billing Considerations

  • Ensure proper documentation for billing
  • Verify code specificity requirements
  • Check for any additional codes needed
  • Review payer-specific guidelines

Common Issues

  • Insufficient clinical documentation
  • Incorrect code selection
  • Missing supporting diagnoses
  • Timing and frequency documentation

Frequently Asked Questions

What documentation is required for this diagnosis?

Document the patient's alcohol use history, withdrawal symptoms, and any treatment plans.

How does this differ from similar diagnoses?

Alcohol use disorder involves dependence and withdrawal, while alcohol abuse does not.

What are common billing considerations?

Ensure documentation supports the diagnosis and reflects medical necessity for treatment.

What procedures are typically associated?

CPT codes for counseling, detoxification, and medication management may be relevant.

Are there any quality reporting implications?

Quality measures may include screening for alcohol use and follow-up care documentation.